Osun State pensioners, under the aegis of Forum of 2011/12 Retired Public Servants of Osun, yesterday barricaded the entrance to the Government Secretariat, preventing workers from entering their offices.

The protest, which began on Thursday with the blocking of the Olaiya Junction in Osogbo, the state capital, followed their claims of non-payment of 13 months pension and gratuity arrears by the government.

Chairman of the group, Omoniyi Ilesanmi, who addressed newsmen on the sidelines of the protest, said the action would be sustained until their demands were met.

“Yesterday’s (Thursday) is not enough to press home our demand, as we will from Monday next week start barricading all the major roads leading to the state capital until all our benefits are paid,” he said

Ilesanmi dismissed the allegation that an opposition party in the state was sponsoring them, saying pensioners were tired of collecting half of their monthly pension, insisting on payment of gratuity arrears from 2008 to 2012.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the protesters locked the entrance gate to the secretariat in Abere, chanting anti-government songs and displayed placards with various inscriptions.

Security personnel were on ground to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone XI, Sunday Odukoya, urged the protesters to disperse, as no government official was on hand to address them.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lani Baderinwa, denied the pensioners allegations, saying government has paid salaries and pensions up to May.